This chapter provides an explanation of what leads to the emergent properties of water and how these properties provide conditions for living organisms to thrive. At one time, it was thought that living things could be found only where a moderate range of abiotic factors (such as temperature & pH) existed. Since the discovery of extremophiles , micro-organisms that thrive in extreme environments, our understanding of where life can exist has changed. Some extremophiles live in hot, acidic sulfur springs and some even live near the openings of deep ocean hydrothermal vents. What does the existence of life in such environments say about the possibility of life on other planets? .

1. This chapter provides an explanation of what leads to the
emergent properties of water and how these properties provide
conditions for living organisms to thrive. At one time, it was
thought that living things could be found only where a moderate
range of
abiotic
factors (such as temperature & pH) existed. Since the discovery
of
extremophiles
, micro-organisms that thrive in extreme environments, our
understanding of where life can exist has changed. Some
extremophiles
live in hot, acidic sulfur springs and some even live near the
openings of deep ocean hydrothermal vents. What does the
existence of life in such environments say about the possibility
of life on other planets?